Bangalore Ultra - Finally

Finally on 16th December, Bangalore Ultra did happen. Congratulations to RFL for organizing such a great event. The run started at 6 AM in the morning and the trail was open till 6 PM. 36K, 52K, 78K and 104K. Enthusiasts took the one which was just a test of time for most.

I did the 52K run and finished in 8.35 Hrs. Shaym, Kumar and Basavaraj did 52K too, finished in much better time, in fact Shyam finished first in the 50+ categories.

It was disappointing to know that the Bangalore Marathon 2007 was a big failure. I have shared my views in this column earlier and what happened yesterday was not a surprise to me. At least for next year, people should be clean and correct to organize such events.

They should understand that approval from authority is now what makes a run successful and enjoyable.

A few pics from Bangalore Ultra:

http://picasaweb.google.com/sabsinindia/BangaoreUltraMarathon1SabineSCamera
http://picasaweb.google.com/sabsinindia/BangaloreUltraMarathon2NitinSCamera
http://picasaweb.google.com/praveensingh1/Bangalore_Ultra_Dec07

Political Marathon

Does any one of you know how politics is related to Marathon, look at December 2007 for the running enthusiasts in Bangalore, two marathons in the city on December 16, another one just 14 days from then on 30th. Great, isn’t it?

So, it’s a political marathon going on in the City. To the disappointment for everyone at Bangalore, the Bangalore marathon 2007 never got announced and everyone thought may be since there was the mid-night marathon, there will not be a second event. At this time, RFL announced the Ultra Marathon months in advance and set the date for December 16. The runners started charging themselves up and preparations were underway for this great event. Thanks to RFL for taking the pain to organize the event.

Just few weeks to go for the Ultra, there comes the announcement from Cossover for the Bangalore Marathon, the date proposed was December 30th. Though it was not a pleasant feel to see a second run so close, people took it with a spirit and thought let’s try these two runs.

Enter the new runner, the political one, Karnataka Athletic Association. They decided to declare a marathon on December 16th itself and started spreading news that ‘Bangalore Marathon' for 2007 has been moved to December 16th from 30th.

Sounds great? It is.

If Karnataka Athletic Association is a body of people who understand what Athletics is, they should refrain from bringing confusion to the people minds and making the whole world of sports a mess in Bangalore.

Let the runners enjoy the Ultra and if their stamina and strength permit, let them attempt the Bangalore Marathon on December 30th.

RFL Run@Bellandur

RFL (Runners For Life) organized the run at Bellandur, Bangalore on last Sunday (02, December 2007) to get the runners warmed up for the Ultra Marathon planned for December 16th. There were around 75 people who enjoyed the Bellandur run this time. The run started at 6.30 with a 8.2 Km loops. Seasoned runners did 24.6 where as runners like me, beginners, attempted 16.6.

Shyam & Gopal

Shyam, Gopal and Madan attempted 24.6 and myself, Prasad and Mohan (Irres

pective of him being down for a few days due to fever recently) did 16.4

<-Madan

<-Mohan

Prasad->

Bangalore International Marathon 2007

Guys, the Bangalore Marathon 2007 is confirmed for December 30. This time it comes close to the Ultra marathon organized by the Runners For Life (RFL), probably the most passionate groups of runners in Bangalore.

Bangalore International Marathon 2007 will be on Sunday, 30th December. You can register for the same with Crossover India: http://www.coindia.com/ue.html for a registration fee of Rs. 200. The Ultra is scheduled for December 16th. So, practically runners will get two weeks rest from the Ultra to the other event on 30th. A link to the Runners for Life Bangalore http://groups.google.com/group/runnersforlife-bangalore/

The following links will be useful if you are a runner or a person interested in running.

Crossover India: http://www.coindia.com/ue.html
Tanvir Kazmi: Running without limits: http://tanvirkazmi.blogspot.com/
The Marathin Guide: http://www.marathonguide.com/
Meetup: http://marathon.meetup.com/cities/in/bangalore/
Marathon Photos: http://www.marathon-photos.com/

In fact, these two events coming so close to each other has put the runners at great. Bangalore is a place where you will not have enough runners who can fill these two events separately. More so, passionate runners will attempt both and is at risk of getting injuries.


This does not limit the true runners like Shyam, Kumar, Mohan, Gopal, Madam from attempting both with equal spirit. I met with these guys who are members of RLF and love running without limits. They are excited that there are two chances where they can test their limits. Much needed attitude. They already did the mid-night marathon this time, Mohan did the Delhi marathon and planning to do the Bombay marathon with Shyam and others. Guys like Shyam create opportunities out of tough times. Good luck guys...

http://www.marathon-photos.com/marathon.html?job=Sports%2FCPUK%2F2007%20Sports%2FDelhi%20Half%20Marathon;match=3090



At least, next year the organizers have to coordinate and plan runs well in advance so that runners can enjoy both the events. In fact RFL has published its date for the Ultra well in advance probably because there were no sign of a Bangalore Marathon planned for 2007. Crossover announced the events may be a month back and it came with a smile and a disappointment at the same time.
Anyway, the news is that there's going to be a run; not that there's no run.

Let's run...

Sahyadri - Once again

Once again Sahyadri is ready to invite the masses. Locacted at the western ghats of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala, this hill ranges host Sabarimla, (written in the local language as "ശബരിമല"), where millions of pilgrims visits every year for their well being. The temple if not open all the days in an year. There are two times an year when people visit the temple in masses and for this year, the season begings this week. Apart from that the temple also opens during the first few days of every month for limited pooja.


Swami Ayyappan, otherwise called 'Manikantan' is the god in Sabarimala, along. He also accompanies other worshipped symbols such as 'malikapurathamma' and 'vavar swami'.

Followers usually starts the preperations for visiting the temple much in advance. Usually people will be under fasting and will have to avoid non-veg food during this period.

Shyam J

Shyam J, well known among his friends "Shyam-Ji" (I will tell you that 'ji' story later.) student, a sportsman, martial artits and above all, a good friend.

He is currently working part time in Press Club, Trivandrum and has been associated with Jawahar Bala Bhavan, Trivandrum as a Karate Instructor during 1994-97.

He is a 1St Dan Black Belt (2000)Karate, 1St Dan Black Belt (2001)Taekwondo and a well trained expert in Kick Boxing and Muwathai. He graduated from University College, Trivandrum in 2006 with a first class and has undergone Certificate Course In ComputersLCC, Trivandrum.

SAF Games quarter-finalist, Islamabad – 2004, Gold Medal in National Championship – 2003, Silver Medal in Federation Cup – 2002, Bronze Medal in National Championship – 2002, Gold Medal in Karnataka State Taekwondo Championship – 2002, Gold Medal in Kerala State Taekwondo Championship – 2001, Gold Medal in Kerala State Taekwondo Championship - 2000, World Championship -2003 Indian Camper – 2003, Bronze Medal in Federation Cup--2004, Kerala Team Member - National Meet – 2000, Kerala Team Member - National Meet – 2001 to mention some of his achievements as a tweakwondow player !

Well, i told he is a expert in the art, Karate too. He won Gold Medal in National Karate Championship 1996, Gold Medal in National Karate Championship 1998, Gold Medal in National Karate Championship 1995, Gold Medal in National Karate Championship 1994, Gold Medal in National Karate Championship 1999.

On Kick Boxing, he won Gold Medal in National Kick Boxing Championship 2002, Gold Medal in National Kick Boxing Championship, 2000, Gold Medal in National Kick Boxing Championship 1998 and he was a team member of the kerala state for the Gymnastics on 1995 and 1996.

He sees himself as a self made man with strong determination, solid character, highest endurance (both phycical and mental :) ) He is a good dog breeder, Scoobi is his pet. He also likes movies, music and swimming.

Okay, let me tell you the sad part of the whole story. He is looking for a job, something whihc can give him a life. After doing all the hardwork, he does not seem to be in a position to support him or his poor family financially.

Kalari Payattu

Okay, let me tell you something about Kalari Payattu, a traditional art form of Kerala. Well, you know i was born at this part of India, which is known by the name Kerala. This martial art has a long history and probably the oldest martail art which exist today.

CVN Kalari, Kollam has been practicing this art form in it's true traditional way since decades and has been a source of inspiration for many martial arts lovers.

http://www.gurukkals.com/

Treating injuries and other disorders is part of this art. Though this is not practiced by many groups, there are a few masters who has proven expertise in treating injuries and physical disorders with an amazing skill and results.

Do some wiki and find out more, this is different from what you must be knowing.